THE GOONATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 148, 23 June 1911, Page 6

THE GOONATION.

p?,- . COMMONWEALTH REJOICING. REJOICINGS IN SYDNEY. IMPRESSIVE SES.VICES. 9.30 a.m.), SYDNEY, this day. Though a wintry wind interfered somewhat with the enjoyment of the crowd, the city presented a brilliant appearance, the streets and buildings everywhere being gay with bunting and decked with greenery. The harbour was a fine sight, the shipping being lavishly decorated, and all business was at a standstill. A spirit of national gaiety and loyalty was universally in evidence. In the morning crowded Coronation services were held in the churches, all denominations participating. At St. Andrew's Cathedral, where the naval and military heads and the representatives of the Government officially attended, a most arapressivo service was conducted on the same lines as that held" at Westminster .Abbey. At St. Mary's Cathedral the service was of a military character, and Cardinal Moran addressed a great gathering. During the day the St. Mary's bellringers rang peals, each concluding with a royal salute of 21 bells. At all tho services the naval and military paraded in strong force. In the parks and streets of the city, where stands were erected, great crowds listened to the bands playing patriotic music, and joined with fervour in singing the National Anthem. One of the great events of the day was a children's demonstration at the Agricultural Ground, in which over 200,00 participated, and an effective programme, ■including the singing of appropriate eongs, was provided. Each child was presented with a Coronation medal. At noon a royal salute was fired from the warship Powerful. , Country reports show that the day was everywhere enthusiastically observed. The Highland Society has initiated a movement to erect a statue of King Edward in Sydney. Yesterday the tram traffic was a record, surpassing even the visit of the American fleet. For some hours during the evening street traffic was practically blocked by the immense crowd viewing the illuminations. The Primate, in the course of a sermon, said: "From God and God alone comes Empire. Neither fleets, nor armies, diplomatic nor legal acumen, can maintain the throne if God forbids. The King is the embodiment of our right to claim as our own all the greatest and best in the past history of our race. George is n. King who knows us as non.c of his predecessors did or could have done. He has been amongst us, and has carried to England tlip truths he learned in the Empire." The Coronation ball, held in the Town Hall, was a brilliant function; At ten o'clock, corresponding with the Coronation hour, the National Anthem was played/ amid a scene of great enthusiasm. .. . , /, ■ > .

Cardinal Moran, 3n the course of a sermon at St. Mary's Cathedral, said: "We Catholics join in the festivities the more readily because the Coronation marks an epoch of religious tolerance." A' feature of the rejoicings was that at a given signal a line of immense bonfires was lit along the Blue Mountain peaks.

A DINNER TO THE POOB. EARI/ DUDLEY'S TRIBUTE. (Received 10.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. The State Government provided 4000 poor with a Coronation dinner. The official Commonwealth dinner was a brilliant function.. Earl Dudley was the only speaker. He said that he was convinced no Sovereign ever' ascended the British Throne more determined to do his best in an honest, simple, and straightforward fashion 1 than King George V. . HOBARTj this day. The weather was fine for the Coronation celebrations. The general decorations and illuminations were not elaborate, the leading business people giving donations to charities instead. PERTH, this day. The weather was fine and the city was handsomely decorated- and illuminated. Enthusiastic celebrations were held throughout the gtn,te.